Despite opening early, queues of people form outside shops ahead of lockdown

Muscat: Long queues of people looking to do some last minute shopping formed outside many shops in Muscat, despite many stores opening as early as 5 am, a day before a four-day complete lockdown comes into effect.

At a popular department store in Ruwi, the line of people waiting in their cars for a parking spot to open was so long that is led to traffic jams on the main road.

So packed was the shop itself that new customers were only being let in once some of those inside had finished their shopping, leading to people forming a line outside, impatiently waiting for their turn to enter.

"Please go elsewhere and shop, the rush of people here is too much," said a worker at the shop, which was forced to turn people away.

Nearby, people had parked wherever they could find a spot, even if it meant leaving their vehicles in areas not strictly meant for parking.

With so many people out on the road looking for a place to park, there were some near-accidents, leading to some motorists frantically honking their horns to avoid a collision.

One popular chain of supermarkets opened to customers at 5am on July 19, and will also open early on July 24 and July 25, once the lockdown ends.

"Shops will be closed from July 20 to July 23, according to Supreme Committee guidelines," said the chain in a statement.